Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) and the Deep River and District Hospital (DRDH) have teamed up to provide a new COVID-19 testing centre on hospital grounds.
The testing centre will provide a safe, secure, and isolated location for local residents to access COVID-19 testing this winter.
The hospital hosted its first testing day on Tuesday, November 17, where testing was administered in a trailer donated by CNL.
Prior to the new trailer, COVID-19 testing in Deep River had been carried out in an outdoor setting, a situation that was unsustainable with the winter weather approaching.
The new trailer enables the hospital to maintain testing outside of their main building, keeping suspected cases outside of the hospital, while ensuring ongoing testing availability within North Renfrew at a warm and safe testing site.
With the COVID-19 pandemic becoming increasingly active in communities across Renfrew County, local health officials are also working hard to make the flu vaccine more accessible this year.
With that goal in mind, the two organizations are also working with the Renfrew County and District Health Unit to host flu clinics in the communities of Deep River, Chalk River, and Stonecliffe, which includes a clinic being held at CNL’s Morison campus.
Clinics are being offered at the Morison campus today, Thursday, November 19 and tomorrow, Friday, November 20 from 11 am to 7 pm; Saturday, November 21 at the Chalk River Lions Hall from 9 am to 3 pm; and Monday, November 23 from 1-6 pm at the Stonecliffe community hall.
“The COVID-19 Pandemic has affected everyone in our local communities, and we must all come together to help support public health officials confront this dangerous virus,” said Rosetta McGirl, the medical supervisor of CNL’s Health Centre.
“Donating this equipment and making our facilities and personnel available to help administer the flu shot is something significant that we can do to help protect the local community.”
Janna Hotson, DRDH’s vice president of clinical services said existing health care resources have been strained by the COVID-19 pandemic, “creating the need to work alongside local organizations to support our communities.”
“The Deep River and District Hospital is grateful to Canadian Nuclear Laboratories for their willingness to work together on unique solutions to care for our community during this time.
“The resources that CNL has contributed will be instrumental in supporting our goal of providing critical health services locally.”
The new COVID-19 testing centre will support all COVID-19 testing for Deep River and the surrounding area as scheduled through the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (RCVTAC), since their paramedic COVID-19 testing programs no longer extend to Deep River.
Residents seeking COVID-19 testing at the DRDH can contact RCVTAC at 1-844-727-6404 to register.
To book a flu shot appointment, call the hospital at 613-584-3333 ext. 7607.
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